Jean Oelwang

Jean Oelwang has carved an indelible niche in the realm of social innovation and collaboration. As the President and founding CEO of Virgin Unite, and the co-founder of Plus Wonder, her career has been shaped by an unwavering commitment to fostering profound human connections. For over a decade and a half, she has collaborated with luminaries such as Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, and Ben and Jerry, among others. Her career trajectory has been influenced by a quest to understand the alchemy of partnership, prompting her to delve into the stories of sixty of the most impactful collaborations of our time. Before her transformative work at Virgin Unite and Plus Wonder, Oelwang honed her leadership skills across six continents, helping to establish and lead mobile phone companies, which laid the groundwork for her subsequent ventures in global collectives. In her acclaimed work, "Partnering," Oelwang distills the essence of collaboration into an enlightening narrative that serves not only as a guide but also a testament to the power of human synergy. With insights drawn from her extensive interviews and experiences, the book explores how nurturing deep connections can drive transformative change. Her role as a Collaboration Architect is further evidenced by her pivotal involvement in launching initiatives such as The Elders, The B Team, The Carbon War Room, Ocean Unite, and The Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator. These efforts underscore her dedication to addressing some of the most pressing global challenges through collective action. Oelwang's writing, characterized by its clarity and profound insight, transcends mere advocacy, offering a blueprint for building relationships that are both meaningful and impactful. Her thematic focus on collaboration and sustainability has positioned her as a leading voice in the discourse on social innovation. Beyond her literary contributions, she serves on numerous advisory boards, including The Elders and Just Capital, and has shared her vision on TED and TEDx stages. Her work continues to inspire a generation of leaders to rethink the paradigms of partnership, making her a seminal figure in the field of collaborative leadership.